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Forefront Magazine - No Risk, No Reward – Barbara Morris, CEO of Laser Image
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Radio Interview
Barbara Morris, CEO, Laser Image
1080 KRLD May 24, 2012
CEO Spotlight with David Johnson on 1080 KRLD
Transcript
David Johnson: It’s probably been 24 hours now that we’ve been doing stories about Hewlett Packard Compaq and the toll that it’s taking to try to turn that company around. 27,000 people, it is horrendous, and some people would say it’s a tough way to have to treat employees. So how would you like to go to a place where they’ve got a corporate cat and a soda machine that dispenses beer? That’s the whole idea behind Laser Image Barbra Morris is the CEO and she’s the co-founder. She joins us right now. It’s good to have you with us. Barbara Morris: Thank you, David. David Johnson: You must never lose employees at all. Barbara Morris: Well it is great, I mean I can boast the fact that we’ve had 67% retention over 10 years. So I guess they’re staying for a while. David Johnson: So tell me what all you do. I’ve heard about the office cat, which everybody (well except me, I’m allergic to them) would love, and the beer machines. What else do you do to keep employees happy? Barbara Morris: Well there’s a lot of things that we do; I mean we’ve created a really unique work environment. We allow our employees the opportunity to move around the office, have mobility and work from different areas. We try to create creative habitats that inspire free thinking. David Johnson: And so the retention rate follows right along with it I guess. So, you have an Easter Egg Hunt? Barbara Morris: Oh yeah, we have a lot of interesting culture here and, yes, we do have an Easter egg hunt, where, it’s kind of a funny story, but you go after Easter eggs, you have three rounds of picks and within those eggs there’s money tied to them. There is a bad egg, which we won’t talk about, but if you get that bad egg, you forfeit your profits for that hunt. David Johnson: So you and a friend started Laser Image, what, a couple of decades ago? Barbara Morris Yes, we were in our twenties were now in our 21st year, so you do the math. David Johnson: Tell me about the company, what do you do? What did you start out doing, and what do you do now? Barbara Morris: Well originally we started out doing traditional direct mail. And 10 years ago, we repurposed our self as a software development company, so were really driven on finding solutions and efficiencies for organizations that need to leverage technology. We think that we have great solutions, great products and good applications for companies to leverage. David Johnson: So your co-founder, Chele Butler is obviously a woman also, so any challenges being a woman- owned business, especially starting 21 years ago? Barbra Morris: No there wasn’t; being so young was more of a challenge, because we just didn’t have any credibility, you know? We would show up in meetings, and we were the 20-year-olds that thought we knew the solutions of the future, so it really did take us some time to earn that respect and trust. David Johnson: You made great use of technologies and the innovations. Has that been a boost to your business along the way? Barbara Morris: Absolutely, I can’t underscore how important it was for us to enter into the industry at that time, because we were certainly a company that did not have venture capital. And we started literally with nothing, so we couldn’t afford database products like Oracle, and big products that we needed to move a little faster; but we certainly could embrace open technology and open- source technology, which allowed us to create a philosophy that promoted us to develop, redistribute and use that source code for us to start to develop our products. So it was really helpful. So we all know today how important open source was because that’s the basis to Mozilla, Firefox and other browsers that are freely distributed now. David Johnson: So what direction does the company take now, I mean you’re heavily into the insurance business; they’re your major customers. What are you thinking the company over the next five to ten years? Barbara Morris: Well we think we’ll be the dominant leader with our product called LeadForce. We see that as being a cutting edge portal that’s going to allow agents and insurance companies to be far more efficient with the distribution of their leads, following up with their sales and looking and drilling down on all the metrics and the information that’s going to benefit them to close sales smoother, faster and quicker. David Johnson: Sounds like somebody will beat a path to your door. Barbra Morris, CEO and co founder of Laser Image, good to have you with us. Barbara Morris: My pleasure. David Johnson: And good to know that some people still like their employees.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kate Johnson
kate@powerpublicrelations.com
+1 (318) 564 5442
Dallas-based Laser Image Helps the Insurance Industry Adopt Tablets and Advanced Technology with New LeadForce Tablet Application
Newest Lead Management Suite Release Features iPhone App Redesign
(DALLAS, TX) May 7, 2012 - Laser Image, a Dallas based lead and data management software company, today announced the official launch of its new LeadForce Application for tablets. The rollout is scheduled for June 1 and also includes a new design for the iPhone.
LeadForce is a lead generation and distribution software system that enables sales teams to hit key milestones with improved accuracy, efficiency, and predictability. The system is designed with sales teams in mind, featuring four main portals that seamlessly integrate with the mobile app to cater specifically to insurance agents, managers, executives, and the home office.
The suite makes the sales process smoother and simpler, taking the guesswork out of lead generation, assignment, and follow up. The software is fully customizable to suit an organization's specific needs. More than 15,000 agents currently use LeadForce to boost their productivity and better manage their time.
"Tablet usage in business is growing exponentially, and introducing the LeadForce tablet app and updated iPhone design represents a new level of usability and flexibility for our customers. Working virtually and having the right mobile technology saves time, paper, travel, and boosts commissions. Extending LeadForce usage into the world of tablets is the natural next step in making LeadForce the top sales management system on the market," said Barbara Morris, cofounder and president of Laser Image.
Tablet features include mobile leads, lead distribution, and reporting. Agents have instant access to all leads, plus their four closest neighbors, and can contact prospects with 'single click' hot links, map the shortest routes to contacts with GPS, as well as track and update the sales cycle as it progresses.
Managers also have a clear view of how many leads each agent receives and can reassign leads and view responses for better conversion rates. The result is a systematic workflow that ensures no lead is ever lost or wasted.
Since most leads need nurturing before a sale is closed, LeadForce offers a robust reporting system to track leads and reassign them when necessary. It features key reporting tools including quick stat analysis charts and graphs to help managers prove results, track progress, determine budgets, make forecasts, and implement change.
The suite includes advanced technologies to track and measure marketing results and provides intuitive data mining and metrics in a simple snapshot.
Laser Image's entry into the tablet market is well timed. According to online tech publication VentureBeat, Gartner forecasts that tablet sales will reach 119 million units this year, up from 60 million units in 2011. The firm predicts sales will reach 182 million units in 2013 and 369 million in 2016.
Forrester Research seconds the growing popularity of tablets, estimating that 25 percent of computers used for work globally are tablets and smartphones instead of PCs.
"People, especially sales people, are looking for improved mobility in their work. Tablets and smartphones provide a one-two punch for flexibility when work needs to get done and sales need to be closed. LeadForce will revolutionize the way companies handle and track leads; tablet capability and the adaptability that comes with it is part of that revolution," says Morris.
About Laser Image
Laser Image is a premier lead and data management software developer and variable printing company based out of Dallas. With more than 20 years of experience, Laser Image provides real time business intelligence for executives. The company has a proven track record for improving the bottom line and a portfolio filled with established partnerships built on successful collaborations. Laser Image helps clients stay competitive through top technology, consulting, and services, streamlining the collaboration process to optimally invest in client success.
Learn more about Laser Image by visiting www.laserimagedallas.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kate Johnson
kate@powerpublicrelations.com
+1 (318) 564 5442
Laser Image Featuring LeadForce System at Fifth National Medicare Supplement Industry Conference in Miami
Lead Management Application Suite Features Mobile Usage for Agents and Managers
(DALLAS, TX) April 30, 2012 - Laser Image, a Dallas based lead and data management software company, today announced its upcoming attendance at the Fifth National Medicare Supplement Industry Conference in Miami. The company will showcase LeadForce, its lead generation and distribution software system that enables sales teams to hit key milestones with improved accuracy, efficiencies, and predictability.
Laser Image first introduced the system at the Inter-Company Market Group 2012 Annual Meeting in February in Phoenix. There, the company signed Pathfinder America as a new client.
The Medicare Supplement conference will be May 16-18 at the Hilton Miami Downtown. The show is hosted by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance, a national professional organization dedicated to promoting the importance of planning for needs and expenses not covered by Medicare.
"The Medicare Supplement Conference draws a specific audience of major industry professionals, and we're excited to present our new LeadForce mobile app at the event. It's an outstanding sales tool with great time and cost saving features, plus productivity enhancements that help managers and agents better collaborate to close more sales," said Barbara Morris, founder and president of Laser Image.
The event brings agents, brokers, financial professionals and insurers together every 18 months, logging nearly 300 attendees when it was last held in October 2010. Past exhibitors include Insurance Administrative Solutions, Hannover Life Re, Gen Re, Mutual of Omaha, Target Leads, United Healthcare, and KBM Group: Health Services.
The LeadForce system is designed with the sales team in mind, featuring four main portals that cater specifically to agents, managers, executives and the home office. The portals seamlessly integrate with the mobile app to make the sales process smoother and simpler, taking the guesswork out of lead generation, assignment, and follow up. Additionally, the software is fully customizable to suite an organization's specific needs.
LeadForce's signature feature is its mobile capability, which allows agents in the field to access new and existing leads on their smartphone and tablets using any 3G network. Agents can quick call hot links, use GPS mapping for driving directions and to access leads based on current location, change the lead disposition, add notes, and see their calendar. The Manager's have a unique portal allowing them to assign leads, view agent progress, and generate reports using real-time data.
"This new software suite is designed to help the sales team work together to make sure all leads are captured and managed properly. It's an elegant application built with cutting edge technology to streamline every facet of the lead management process. I believe LeadForce will revolutionize the way companies handle and track leads," said Morris.
About Laser Image
Laser Image is a premier lead and data management software developer and variable printing company based out of Dallas. With more than 20 years of experience, Laser Image provides real time business intelligence for executives. The company has a proven track record for improving the bottom line and a portfolio filled with established partnerships built on successful collaborations. Laser Image helps clients' stay competitive through top technology, consulting, and services, streamlining the collaboration process to optimally invest in client success.
Learn more about Laser Image by visiting www.laserimagedallas.com.
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